trabajador
/tɾabaxaˈdoɾ/
The Spanish word trabajador means hardworking.
trabajador is used to describe a person who is diligent in their tasks or works hard.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the verb trabajar (to work), with the suffix -dor indicating the agent or the person performing the action, making it mean worker or hardworking.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on the gender and number of the people being described. Use trabajadora to describe a hardworking woman, and trabajadores for a group of men or a mixed-gender group. If you are describing a group consisting only of women, use trabajadoras.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾabaxaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- While trabajador describes a person who works, the root of the verb trabajar connects back to the Latin word 'tripalium', which was a three-staked torture device.
- The word trabajador is a cognate of the English word 'travail', which refers to painful or laborious effort. While 'travel' comes from the same root, it evolved to mean the journey taken by those who suffered the toil of the road.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone muy trabajador can be a subtle way of suggesting they are a workaholic or do not maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Examples in context
- María es una empleada muy trabajadora y responsable en su empresa.María is a very hardworking and responsible employee in her company.
- Es un estudiante muy trabajador.He is a very hardworking student.
- Tu hermano es un hombre muy trabajador.Your brother is a very hardworking man.
- Necesitamos un empleado que sea trabajador.We need an employee who is hardworking.
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing a new coworker.
- Javier¿Qué piensas del nuevo empleado, María?What do you think of the new employee, María?
- MaríaMe parece que es muy trabajador.I think he is very hardworking.
- JavierSí, termina todas sus tareas rápido.Yes, he finishes all his tasks quickly.
- MaríaEs un buen elemento para el equipo.He is a great asset to the team.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trabajador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trabajador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
